UK Labour government hikes student tuition fees, maintains Tory repayment threshold
The policy is an attack on students and graduates, who will be made to pay for the economic crisis through fee hikes.
Henry Lee•
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality is the student and youth movement of the world Trotskyist movement, the International Committee of the Fourth International.
We insist that all the great problems confronting humanity in the 21st century—war, poverty and social inequality, the drive toward fascism and dictatorship by governments internationally—are the outcome of capitalism and can only be addressed through the taking of political power by the working class and its establishment of a socialist society, founded on genuine equality.
In order to fight for socialism today, young people must understand the history of struggles of the working class in the 20th century. As part of its fight to build a global movement against imperialist war, the IYSSE is educating youth in the history and principles of Trotskyism, the Marxism of the 21st century. On this page, you can explore our program, history, campaigns and coverage. To get in touch, click the button below.
Join the IYSSE
To get in touch with us, and become involved with the IYSSE in your country or area or to help build a new IYSSE, fill out the form. You will also begin receiving the IYSSE newsletter.
University of Michigan moves to ban local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine
The University of Michigan has filed a complaint against the campus chapter of the Students for Justice in Palestine, threatening to suspend the organization for two to four years. The IYSSE denounces this attack on the campus organization and the democratic rights of all students and faculty, and demands that the complaint be rescinded.
Luke Galvin•
Australian Labor government pushes phoney student debt relief in bid for youth votes
The move is wholly inadequate in dealing with the mounting cost-of-living crisis and is a cynical attempt to garner support as a federal election looms.
Eric Ludlow•
Harris holds rally at Muhlenberg College in wake of firing of professor for speaking out against Palestinian genocide
Harris’s campaign stop was not geared toward making any statements in defense of democratic rights but lent her campaign’s stamp of approval to the college’s effort to banish them.
Nick Barrickman•
Our reporters•
Our reporters•
Mike Head•
Landon Gourov•
International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US)•
Mobilize the working class in defense of protesters against the Gaza genocide!
The World Socialist Web Site denounces the enormous escalation of state attacks on protesters, including the mass arrests at Columbia, Yale University and New York University, justified on the basis of lies and slander.
World Socialist Web Site editorial board•
Stop the censorship of war opponents and attacks on freedom of expression at Humboldt University Berlin!
The IYSSE calls on all students: Protest against the authoritarian police regime at Humboldt University! Defend freedom of opinion, assembly and study! Come to our next meeting and vote IYSSE for the Student Parliament!
IYSSE Berlin•
The working class must organize to defeat injunction threat against the University of California Gaza strike!
The ruling class wants to set a precedent to ban all political activity in the working class and rip up the core First Amendment right to free speech.
Tom Hall•
The Gaza genocide and the death of Aaron Bushnell: What are the political lessons?
This lecture was given by World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board Chairman David North at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, March 12.
David North•
International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US)•
Tamino Dreisam•
David North•
International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US)•
Statement of the WSWS International Editorial Board•
Sign up for the newsletter
Get regular updates from the IYSSE
Socialist internationalism and the struggle against Zionism and imperialism
This lecture provides a political and historical analysis of the genocidal war now being conducted by the Zionist regime in Israel against the Palestinians. It explains the relationship between the contemporary struggle against imperialism and the international socialist program of the Left Opposition, founded by Leon Trotsky 100 years ago in October 1923.
David North•
Report to London meeting on the centenary of Trotskyism
Genocide in Gaza: Imperialism descends into the abyss
The unfolding genocide in Gaza is the realization of “the descent into the abyss” of which James P. Cannon warned in his Open Letter, published 70 years ago last week.
David North•
A letter to a friend on the historical and political background to the war in Ukraine
This letter was sent by WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North to a friend who requested North’s opinion on a recent online discussion held at a US college on the Russia-Ukraine war.
David North•
Timothy Snyder’s Bloodlands: Right-wing propaganda disguised as historical scholarship — Part One
The role that Snyder is playing in justifying the imperialist proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and the alliance of US imperialism with the Ukrainian far right make it imperative to investigate his book more closely.
Clara Weiss•
James Clayton, Roger Jordan, Keith Jones•
Jason Melanovski•
Zac Corrigan, Nancy Hanover•
Peter Schwarz•
The record of the International Committee of the Fourth International is the most powerful refutation of the lie of the “unprovoked war” in Ukraine. This timeline documents the most essential episodes in the decades-long eruption of US imperialism since the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, and the response of the ICFI to these wars.
This book documents the response by the International Committee to the eruption of US imperialism in the wake of the Stalinist dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The essays, lectures and statements are essential reading for youth seeking to understand the historical background to the war in Ukraine, and the Marxist approach to the fight against war.
Billionaires, imperialists, and antisemites: The forces behind the assault on opposition to Gaza genocide
The effort to criminalize support for the Palestinian people has been especially vile on college campuses.
Gabriel Black•
The Board of Regents of the University of California and the subordination of higher education to the war machine
Like other elite universities, the UC system is run like a corporation by a board of multi-millionaires and Democratic Party operatives, and has been deeply integrated into the US war machine.
David Rye, Elliott Murtagh•
The US military recruitment crisis and the struggle against imperialist war
The US war machine is confronting a worsening recruitment crisis as it escalates its war against Russia in Ukraine and prepares for war against China.
Gabriel Black•
The case of Texas A&M: A university integrated into the military-intelligence apparatus
Texas A&M is a major hub for the US State Department-CIA training of the next generation of military officers and intelligence recruits.
Chase Lawrence•
US universities enlisted in military production as part of anti-China campaign
With the CHIPS and Science Act, US universities are being drawn ever more directly into the war preparations against China.
Chase Lawrence•
Howard University awarded $90 million contract to conduct military research for the Pentagon
Howard University’s bid to become one of the Pentagon’s higher education affiliates means it will be dedicated to the development of the US military’s killing machines.
Dominic Gustavo•
New York University: A center of militarism, mass surveillance and censorship: Part 1
New York University, the largest private research university in the US, is heavily involved in the preparations for war against Russia and China, the mass surveillance efforts of the NSA and the internet censorship campaign by the state, Google, and Facebook.
the IYSSE at NYU•
The fight to defend public education
War abroad means war at home. The imperialist war against Russia and preparations for a new world war are bound up with a massive re-allocation of social resources away from education, health care, and social services, to war, and the self-enrichment of the financial oligarchy. The IYSSE therefore connects the struggle to defend the social, cultural and democratic rights of the working class and youth to its fight against imperialist war. We demand: Trillions for jobs, education and healthcare, not for war!
No layoffs! No budget cuts! Mobilize the working class to defend public education in Ann Arbor and across Michigan!
The claim that “there is no money” is a lie. In Michigan, where the Democrats fully control the state government, corporate handouts—particularly to the automakers—amount to billions.
Michigan Educators Rank-and-File Committee•
“Most teachers can’t afford to live here now”
Anger mounts as Ann Arbor Public School board prepares cuts
Teachers, parents and community members in Ann Arbor gathered this week at city-wide meeting speaking out against layoffs and attacks on public education.
Luke Galvin, Mitch Marcus•
As student loan payments resume, millions face a lifetime of debt while Wall Street profits
The banks, hedge funds, investment companies and other Wall Street parasites are raking in billions of dollars in profits from the immiseration of tens of millions of student loan borrowers and their families—perhaps a third of the US population in all.
Kevin Reed, Barry Grey•
Protests against cuts at West Virginia University continue as lawmakers allocate tens of millions to war-related research
The cuts at WVU are part of a systematic effort to divert all social resources to the war effort and the enrichment of the financial oligarchy.
James Langley, Clara Weiss•
James Langley, Samuel Davidson•
Aaron Edwards•
Anthony Wallace, Clara Weiss•
The Columbine High School massacre: American Pastoral ... American Berserk
Columbine High School appeared to be, at least in the view of its administrators and the county school board, such a lovely place for young people to grow up and learn. In its official profile, the institution boasted of its "excellent facilities" and "long history of excellence in all areas." Nothing seemed to be lacking--Honors and Advanced Placement classes, foreign language instruction in Spanish, French and German, and an artistic program that included ceramics, sculpture, acting, choir and no less than five bands and one ensemble. There were even "Cross-categorical programs for students with significantly limited intellectual capacity." And, of course, there was no shortage of athletics.
David North•
The way forward for students and youth in the fight against school shootings
The IYSSE urges young people to look honestly at our society. What does the phenomenon of mass violence say about the health of modern-day capitalism?
International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US)•
US students speak out on the way forward in the fight to end school shootings after Uvalde massacre
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality has been speaking to students on the social and political roots of mass violence in the US.
Our reporters•
“It’s not the shooter, mental health or the gun that is the problem. The problem is society itself.”
US students walk out to protest gun violence, as police story of response to Uvalde massacre falls apart
As police attempted to cover up their complicity in the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, thousands of students protested unending gun violence in mass walkouts.
Jacob Crosse•
Beyond the official clichés: The Texas school shooting reveals the advanced sickness of American society
The American ruling elite, its politicians and its media outlets, have nothing insightful or useful to say about this most recent calamity.
David Walsh•
The Uvalde massacre and the tragedy of school shootings in America
Whatever the individual psychological issues which afflicted and possibly motivated Salvador Ramos to kill, they do not explain the routine outbursts of mass violence which plague American society.
Niles Niemuth•
One year since the Parkland high school massacre: A political balance sheet
One year has passed since the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people and sparked nationwide protests by students and youth against gun violence.
Genevieve Leigh•
GEO ratifies sellout contract at University of Michigan, calls off strike
The GEO/AFT, which is politically dominated by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), used the university’s threat to fire strikers who fail to return to work by the start of the fall term on Monday, August 28, to browbeat the student workers into accepting the university-dictated sellout contract.
Judy Ryden•
Opposition from Rutgers academic workers grows against AFT-backed contract proposals
The leaders of the three unions at Rutgers University want to impose the inadequate tentative agreements without giving workers time to study them.
Erik Schreiber•
University of California academic workers: Replace the bargaining teams! Build rank-and-file committees to expand the strike and win our demands!
The University of California Rank-and-File Strike Committee is fighting to oppose the UAW bureaucracy's efforts to sabotage the powerful four-week strike by 48,000 UC academic workers.
UC Rank-and-File Strike Committee•
Planned strike at University of Sheffield International College suspended by University and College Union
With RPI inflation rate running at 14.2 percent to October, the University and College Union’s pay claim is well below inflation.
our reporter•
“It’s literally nationwide, and we really have to stand with each other”: Striking New School part-time faculty speak out on the picket line
The current strike by over 1,600 part-time faculty at The New School in New York City is winning wide support from workers and students throughout the city and across the country.
Our reporters•
Strike wave of academic workers in US grows: 50,000 out at UC, New School
Over 1,600 part-time faculty members went on strike at the New School in New York City Wednesday morning, joining 48,000 University of California graduate student workers who began their strike at the beginning of the week at 10 UC campuses across the state.
Jerry White•
Video: Support the striking University of California academic workers!
“You have taken a courageous stand against the powerful corporate and political forces that run the University of California system,” Will Lehman, a candidate for UAW president, said, “and your struggle deserves the broadest support from all workers and youth.”
Will Lehman•
Columbia student workers ratify contract with cuts in real wages: The political lessons
Throughout their struggle, Columbia University student workers confronted two hostile forces: the university administration, run by millionaires with close ties to the Democratic Party, and the United Auto Workers.
Elliott Murtagh•
Youth and the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 was a trigger event in world history. For generations of young people, it has become a defining element for how they view capitalist society. Because of the criminal response by the ruling class to the pandemic, generations of young people are being subject to reinfections with a dangerous pathogen that has serious long-term health consequences. The IYSSE insists that money be allocated, not to war, but to fund efforts to eradicate COVID, development new vaccines and medical treatments, and fund free health care for all. To learn more about the science of the pandemic and the ICFI’s Global Workers’ Inquest, click the button below.
This report was delivered by Evan Blake, the coordinator of the Global Workers’ Inquest into the COVID-19 pandemic, to the December 10, 2022, rally by the IYSSE to stop the war in Ukraine. It includes essential information about the nature of the COVID-19 virus and what must be done to end the pandemic.
COVID-19 is a leading cause of death in children in the US, study finds
The findings come as recent CDC sero-prevalence data indicate nearly 100 percent of American children have been infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Emma Arceneaux•
Study documents devastating effects of Long COVID two years after infection
The study’s implications are staggering, as it finds that long past infection, people remain at risk for a broad array of serious, life-threatening health events impacting over half their body systems.
Bill Shaw•
A social and medical examination of Long COVID as a “mass disabling event”: Part 3
This review will document what is known about the science and impacts of Long COVID, the lessons that should have been drawn from previous post-viral illnesses, and the refusal of world capitalism to address this massive and ongoing social catastrophe.
Frank Gaglioti•
COVID-19 reinfections substantially increase risk of death and Long COVID
A major study published today found that each COVID-19 reinfection causes cumulative damage to patients and significantly increases their risk of death, hospitalization, and Long COVID.
Benjamin Mateus, Evan Blake•
As schools begin to reopen nation-wide
New study reveals potentially “life-altering” neurologic complications in children hospitalized with COVID-19
The shocking information revealed in this study emerges just days before school districts across the US reopen their doors to tens of millions of students, teachers, and other school staff for fully in-person learning.
Genevieve Leigh•
The devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Canada’s young people
Demonstrating the immense toll the pandemic has taken on the mental health of young people, a University of Calgary study of 80,000 youth across the globe discovered that rates of anxiety and depression among young people have doubled since the pandemic began in 2020.
Dylan Lubao•
Trotskyism, the Marxism of the 21st century
The IYSSE is the youth and student movement of the Trotskyist movement. In our work, we place a central emphasis on the study of history. In opposition to the denigration of objective truth, history and science, in academic departments, we insist that in order to change the world, young people must first of all understand it. But it is impossible to understand this world without a knowledge of history and Marxism. The Trotskyist movement, which was founded in 1923 by Leon Trotsky in the struggle against Stalinism, has emerged, over a century of struggle, as the sole continuity of the program, theory and principles of Marxism. An understanding of this history is the essential precondition for the struggle for socialism today. We urge you to explore the many topic pages on the WSWS on various aspects of the history and politics of the Marxist movement.
This book contains several essays and lectures written by David North over the past four decades on the historical role and politics of Leon Trotsky. They are informed by one central conception: That the political, theoretical and historical legacy of Trotsky remains the critical and indispensable foundation for the struggle for socialism in the 21st century.
Young people today have grown up in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union by the Stalinist bureaucracy in 1991, yet their entire lives were shaped by this epochal event. This topic page documents the response by the Trotskyist movement to the collapse of Stalinism, the false claim that the end of the USSR represented the “end of history” and the explosion of US militarism in the decades that followed.
In 2019, the New York Times published the 1619 Project, which falsely claimed that all of US history had been based on racism. This topic page documents the extensive exposures and interviews produced by the WSWS in response to this systematic falsification of American and world history. It is essential reading for all those seeking to oppose identity and racial politics from a Marxist and socialist standpoint.
This book contains a number polemical essays that examine the complex interaction between history, philosophy and politics. They provide an excellent introduction to the theory, history and politics of Marxism, which David North counterposes to contemporary anti-Marxist philosophical tendencies related to the Frankfurt School and postmodernism that dominate academic departments.
An Island at the Center of World History: Trotsky on Prinkipo
This is the speech by World Socialist Web Site International Editorial Board Chairman David North given on Sunday, August 20, honoring the life and political legacy of Leon Trotsky.
David North•
The ICFI’s investigation exposed the GPU conspiracy to murder Trotsky
The penetration of GPU agents into the Fourth International played a fatal role in the assassination of Trotsky.
Eric London•
200 years since the birth of Friedrich Engels
Born on Nov. 28, 1820, Engels was the co-founder of scientific socialism with his friend Karl Marx, who was two-and-a-half years his senior. Two hundred years later, their life’s work is of burning contemporary relevance.
Peter Schwarz•
Part Six
Trotsky’s Last Year
An appraisal, on the occasion of the eightieth anniversary of Trotsky’s assassination, of the work of the great theoretician and strategist of World Socialist Revolution during the final year of his life.
David North•
Leon Trotsky and the Development of Marxism
This volume contains four lectures delivered to a series of meetings held on the fifth anniversary of the assassination of Tom Henehan, on October 15, 19, November 23 and December 14, 1982.
David North•
Forty-three years since the assassination of Tom Henehan (1951-1977)
Tom Henehan: A revolutionary life
Today marks the 43rd anniversary of the assassination of Tom Henehan, a member of the Political Committee of the Workers League—the predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party in the US. We are republishing here a tribute delivered by David North at a meeting in 1997.
David North•
150 years since the Paris Commune
On March 18, 1871, the armed working class districts of Paris rose up and established the first workers state in world history, the Paris Commune.
Alex Lantier•
Why Study the Russian Revolution?
We are publishing here the text of a lecture delivered Saturday, March 11 by David North, chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site. This is the first in a series of five international online lectures being presented by the International Committee of the Fourth International to mark the centenary of the 1917 Russian Revolution.
David North•